HAMP.L Regulatory News (HAMP)

10 Sep 2007 07:03

Hampson Industries PLC10 September 2007 Hampson to supply empennage for HondaJet Hampson Industries PLC ("Hampson"), the international aerospace and precisionengineering group, has been awarded a contract to manufacture and supply thecomplete empennage structural sub-assembly to Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., forits new HondaJet advanced light jet. The HondaJet is to be produced at Honda Aircraft Company's new custom-builtfacilities in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA, that are currently in theconstruction phase. First deliveries of the US$3.65 million HondaJet arescheduled for 2010. The contract award covers both the pre-production and production phases of HondaAircraft Company's first-ever aerospace programme and is expected to be worthsome US$70 million over its life. Hampson now joins a select group of majorsuppliers to the programme. Under the contract, Hampson will manufacture detailed parts in its Wigan, UK,facility and deliver fully integrated sub-assemblies from its facility in GrandPrairie, Texas, USA. These facilities already specialise in the manufacture andsupply of structural empennage sub-assemblies for the latest generation ofadvanced light aircraft. Commenting on the award, Chief Executive Kim Ward said: "The HondaJet will set new standards for performance and comfort in its pricerange and its launch marks the ground-breaking development of anothersignificant market segment for commercial light jet aviation. We are delightedto have secured this major contract and to have the opportunity to partner withHonda, a group renowned for world-class engineering excellence, on theirpioneering light jet programme." Ends. Further information: Kim Ward, Chief Executive +44 (0)1384 472941Howard Kimberley, Finance Director +44 (0)1384 472946Jonathan Gollins/Marylene Guernier, M:Communications +44 (0)207 153 1269 About Hampson: Hampson Industries PLC is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange(Symbol: HAMP). The Group's operations are structured into three segments,operating from 14 manufacturing facilities spanning three continents. Throughits international operations, the Group provides leading-edge, fully-integratedengineering and manufacturing solutions for: • Advanced aero structural components and assemblies • Performance-critical components for gas turbine engines • Close tolerance components & rotating assemblies for automotive turbochargers • Precision tooling systems for large, composite aero structures Approximately 85% of the Group's sales are derived from its aerospaceactivities, the balance from the specialist automotive markets. The Hampson group employs over 1,700 people worldwide. For more information onHampson: www.hampsongroup.com About Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., and HondaJet: Greensboro, North Carolina-based, Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., is responsiblefor the continued development, certification and production of HondaJet, as wellas all marketing, sales and service support. HondaJet, Honda's first-ever commercial aircraft, lives up to the Company'sreputation for superior fuel efficiency, delivering far better cruising fuelefficiency than comparable jets, along with a class-topping cruise speed of 420knots (483 mph) and a more spacious cabin with room for up to eight people. Allmajor assembly and testing of the prototype HondaJet has been conducted at thecompany's existing Greensboro facility, which opened in 2001 as an extension ofHonda's global R&D operations. The decision to commercialize HondaJet was announced in July 2006, followed bythe August 4, 2006, establishment of Honda Aircraft Company, Inc. The companyhas received more than 100 customer orders for the $3.65 million HondaJet sinceits sales launch on October 17, 2006. The HondaJet production facility willbecome Honda's fourteenth major manufacturing plant in North America, includingfour currently under construction. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange